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Hillsboro High School valedictorians Elise and Emma Heyen challenged their classmates Saturday at Robert C. Brown Gymnasium to expand their horizons and push out of their comfort zones as they enter the next chapter of life. Their speech was part of the 105th annual commencement at HHS.

They said graduating was bittersweet, mixing excitement for what comes next in life with sadness for what is left behind. As freshmen, graduation seemed like it was a lifetime away, but it arrived with startling speed, they said.

They recalled how each level of school — elementary, middle, and high school — had its own benefits and challenges, and how at each step, teachers warned them how much more would be expected at the next step. They said that gradual progression had accomplished its purpose, to prepare the class of 50 students for life beyond the confines of Hillsboro High School.

Salutatorians Rebecca Faber and Matthew Wiebe thanked the parents and teachers in the audience for all of the help preparing them for the next step in their lives.

USD 410 Superintendent Steve Noble congratulated the class on earning their diplomas. That achievement is something that nobody can take away from them, he said, but he warned that the only thing it guarantees them is more choices. Noble urged the graduates to make the most of those choices.

Hillsboro Mayor Delores Dalke presented a key to the city to each of the graduates, encouraging them to make Hillsboro part of their future and not just part of their past.

HHS social science teacher Jim Robb shared with the class lessons he learned from his favorite childhood book, “Treasure Island.” The themes of the book include loyalty, self-sacrifice, friendship, and taking the initiative.

All of the graduates are starting on the adventure of their lives in a world that is rapidly changing, he said.

“Follow your dreams, be a leader, don’t wait for others but solve problems yourself, ask questions and seek answers, reach out to others, and be helpful,” Robb said. “Don’t be a spectator of life, but be an active participant.”

Robb, who is retiring this month after 17 years in Hillsboro schools, said he leaves with a treasure of loyal and true friends. He told the graduates that if they use the lessons of “Treasure Island,” they will accumulate a treasure for themselves.